There's a controversy over how a disclaimer was put into the Synthese special issue by the Editors-in-Chief, claiming that some of the papers published didn't meet the journal's usual standards for civility in discourse.

John Wilkins took note of the problem. Brian Leiter suggested a boycott of Synthese until the Editors-in-Chief acknowledged that it was an error to do so. John Wilkins is tracking notice of the issue in the blogosphere here. Wilkins is also tracking people willing to participate in the boycott, so contact him if you are an interested academic.

I think that the inclusion of the disclaimer, blind-siding Branch and Fetzer that way, was appalling. Until now I was unclear as to their involvement in it or not, a misunderstanding that many could make, compounding their humiliation.

Interesting to see how this plays out...

--------------Which came first: the shimmy, or the hip?

AtBC Poet Laureate

"I happen to think that this prerequisite criterion of empirical evidence is itself not empirical." - Clive

If the editors want this to go away, I warn them that this would make a fascinating article on the behavior seeking (and gatekeeping) behavior of scientists. Open access and scientific collaboratories are hot topics and are pushing the peer review process to the fore - theses guys are behind the times.

--------------Which came first: the shimmy, or the hip?

AtBC Poet Laureate

"I happen to think that this prerequisite criterion of empirical evidence is itself not empirical." - Clive

This thread is for items relating to the Synthese special issue on "Evolution and Its Rivals", printed as the January 2011 issue of the journal.

I was reading John's blog this morning, and I was particularly struck by thin-skinned these academic philosophers are. What sissy boys they are! I was especially unimpressed by the jerk posting as "Fremder Mensch".

--------------"Science is the horse that pulls the cart of philosophy."

For an eye-opening glimpse into how the IDC advocates are using the Synthese affair, go have a look at this video of a lecture by Paul Giem.

The page description of the video is:

Quote

Discussion begins at 1:04:45. The journal Synthese had Glenn Branch of the NCSE as a guest editor of their January 2011 edition. The journal had to publish a retraction because of what was published. Presentation mostly covers article by Barbara Forrest and response by Francis Beckwith.

Did you actually say that Barbara Forrest "needs Haldol or something"? Is that civility? Is that a rational response to what you have termed "incivility"?I call for more civility in this debate. You should apologize!

--------------Which came first: the shimmy, or the hip?

AtBC Poet Laureate

"I happen to think that this prerequisite criterion of empirical evidence is itself not empirical." - Clive

Did you actually say that Barbara Forrest "needs Haldol or something"? Is that civility? Is that a rational response to what you have termed "incivility"?I call for more civility in this debate. You should apologize!

There's a "Like" button for Kristine's comment. I think it would be good if everyone visited and hit the "Like" button on the comment.

Did you actually say that Barbara Forrest "needs Haldol or something"? Is that civility? Is that a rational response to what you have termed "incivility"?I call for more civility in this debate. You should apologize!

There's a "Like" button for Kristine's comment. I think it would be good if everyone visited and hit the "Like" button on the comment.

Done!

--------------"Hail is made out of water? Are you really that stupid?" Joe G

"I have a better suggestion, Kris. How about a game of hide and go fuck yourself instead." Louis

"The reason people use a crucifix against vampires is that vampires are allergic to bullshit" Richard Pryor

Did you actually say that Barbara Forrest "needs Haldol or something"? Is that civility? Is that a rational response to what you have termed "incivility"?I call for more civility in this debate. You should apologize!

There's a "Like" button for Kristine's comment. I think it would be good if everyone visited and hit the "Like" button on the comment.

Done!

Done.

--------------Lou FCD is still in school, so we should only count him as a baby biologist. -carlsonjok -deprecatedI think I might love you. Don't tell Deadman -Wolfhound

That...hmm...was...ahhh...brutal. I didn't last more than a few minutes. Comments liked.

The first thing he does is explain why he uses the term "anticreationists". The next thing he says is "this is what happens when evolutio...ah, anticreationsts get editorial control of a journal..."

We know what you meant, Paul. Freud giggled, and it wasn't from your John Bolton mustache.

--------------Given that we are all descended from Adam and Eve...genetic defects as a result of intra-family marriage would not begin to crop up until after the first few dozen generations. - Dr. Hugh Ross

Kristine's comment liked by one more. Oh, and go like the second comment. I did!

Yep! Me too. Way to "blacklist," everyone!

How does one "blacklist" a journal, by the way? I thought that one, um, boycotted it (and I don't know that it should go that far), and "blacklisted" authors - but are the editors in question "blacklisted"? They cannot publish anywhere else? They cannot sit at a table in L.A. with Elia Kazan? (Oh.)

I would love it for the editors to respond to the "retraction" claim themselves. By now they should be livid at such claims. They made a mistake and are now being totally played.

--------------Which came first: the shimmy, or the hip?

AtBC Poet Laureate

"I happen to think that this prerequisite criterion of empirical evidence is itself not empirical." - Clive